With only a week-long training camp to prepare for the lockout-shortened season, the Devils will rely heavily on their coaching staff to equip them for a run at the Stanley Cup similar to that of last year’s— so they hope.

In his first season with the team, head coach Peter DeBoer managed to lead the Devils to the Stanley Cup Finals, where their quest for the cup ended when the Los Angeles Kings defeated them in game six of the series. Whether or not DeBoer’s efforts can be linked to beginner’s luck, he is confident that such success can be repeated this year.

“You always feel a little more comfortable [going into the second season with a team],” he said Thursday after day 5 of training camp. “I think it’s been a real asset for us that we got our systems in place last year, and we have the number of returning guys that we do. Starting from scratch right now would be a real daunting task.”

He then joked about finally being able to navigate around New Jersey. “I also know how to find my way to the rink and airport…and home, [laughs] which I tell you last year at this time, I couldn’t.”

Devils defenseman Henrik Tallinder has taken notice of DeBoer’s improved comfort level as second year head coach.

“Now he knows what it’s all about and we know what he expects from us, so it’s kind of a give and take. It’s a good feeling,” Tallinder said.

While DeBoer may feel right at home in his second season with the team, assistant coaches Matt Shaw and Scott Stevens are new additions to the staff this season. Former assistant coaches Adam Oates and Larry Robinson departed from the team over the summer to assume roles as head coach of the Capitals and assistant coach of the Sharks.

Bryce Salvador, who was named captain of the Devils Thursday, said: “From the little bit I’ve seen [so far], it’s going to be great…

When you have wealth, knowledge and experience like that on the bench, it’s great. When he says something, you know exactly what he’s talking about.”

Even though DeBoer and the rest of the coaching staff haven’t had much time to prepare for the start of the season which starts on Saturday, forward David Clarkson feels they’ve been successful in doing so.

“They’ve done a great job in my opinion,” he said. “They’ve found a way to make sure that we’re pushing it and making sure we’re ready but at the same time installing the system. We’ve got quite a few new guys in here, so they’re making sure that they know what they want out of us.”